During the candidate list assembly in Gießen-Allendorf, Bartol received 87.2% of the votes for the top position, while Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser secured only 79.0% for her fourth place on the list.

Concerns have been raised within the party regarding the lack of female leadership on the candidate list, prompting discussions among younger party members.

Bartol, a Bundestag member for 22 years, has characterized the upcoming election as a significant directional decision for the country.

The Hessian SPD has selected Sören Bartol as their lead candidate for the early Bundestag election scheduled for February 23, 2024.

Faeser was absent from the party gathering due to an emergency in Magdeburg, which underscored the somber context of the campaign.

As the election approaches, Bartol has urged party members to actively engage in the winter campaign, highlighting the urgency with only nine weeks remaining.

Reem Alabali-Radovan, the Federal Government's Integration Commissioner, is also a key candidate aiming to maintain the SPD's six direct mandates in the region.

Boris Rhein from the CDU continues as the Hessian Minister-President, having governed for about a year with the SPD as a junior partner after a long period of opposition.

With the SPD trailing behind the CDU in current polls, Faeser faces uncertainty regarding her ministerial position after the election.

Bartol emphasized that the upcoming election is crucial for addressing key issues such as affordable housing, job availability, and support for Ukraine.

The state party leadership has proposed Alabali-Radovan as the leading candidate in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, reflecting the SPD's strategy to solidify its presence.

Despite recent electoral challenges, the Hessian SPD maintains a membership of approximately 41,000, indicating its organizational strength.